Three Indian sailors lost their lives after a US military strike targeted an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, marking the first confirmed fatalities involving Indian crew since the blockade on Iran-linked shipping began. The incident occurred when the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello came under attack after reportedly failing to comply with US military directions during operations in the region. India confirmed the deaths and described the situation as a serious maritime tragedy affecting its large global seafaring workforce. Authorities said the vessel had earlier reported an engine fire before the strike escalated the situation.
Following the incident, India strongly protested to the United States and summoned a senior diplomat in New Delhi, demanding an immediate halt to such attacks on commercial shipping. The Indian government stressed that repeated strikes on vessels carrying Indian crew members were unacceptable and risked escalating tensions in already volatile waters. Officials also called for dialogue and diplomatic engagement to restore stability in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz region. The protest reflects growing concern over the safety of Indian seafarers working in international shipping routes.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that three sailors initially reported missing were later found dead after recovery operations on the damaged vessel. The victims were identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and chief engineer Patnala Suresh, according to maritime union sources. He said authorities had directed immediate repatriation of surviving crew members and arrangements for the return of the deceased bodies for final rites. Officials described the incident as a profound loss for India’s maritime community, which includes over 300,000 sailors globally.
According to US Central Command, the strike targeted the engine room of MT Settebello after the vessel allegedly attempted to transport oil linked to Iran in violation of restrictions. The US military stated that the ship ignored repeated instructions and was disabled during transit in the Gulf of Oman as part of ongoing enforcement operations. Earlier, Oman’s navy rescued 21 Indian sailors after responding to distress signals from the burning vessel carrying 28 crew members in total. The operation highlighted rising risks for commercial ships operating in the region’s sensitive maritime corridors.
Tensions further escalated as India reported multiple attacks on vessels carrying Indian crew members, including additional incidents involving other tankers in the same maritime zone. US forces confirmed separate strikes on ships such as Jalveer and Marivex, saying they were part of enforcement actions against Iran-related oil transport routes. Meanwhile, international maritime organizations condemned the attacks, warning that repeated targeting of commercial vessels threatens global shipping safety and seafarer lives. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy passage, with nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas trade passing through it.